Gombawa must stop ethnic and religious conflicts

Gombe State can be described as among the most peaceful states in the country. It is on record that for a very long time the people have not witnessed any serious tribal or religious crisis except the recent Billiri Chieftaincy conflict and the Waja with Lugguda crisis that happened some weeks ago in Balanga Local Government Area.

It is most annoying and unpardonable for people of the same ancestral history and tribal group to get into serious crisis that led to the loss of lives and destruction of properties for just a reason of choosing a new traditional ruler of Tangale Chiefdom in Billiri.

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What difference does it make for the governor to choose a Muslim or Christian as the new traditional ruler of Billiri as it has happened many times in the history of the traditional institution? Whoever is chosen is not outside the royal family and not from another tribal group and is not going to live in another town. Any candidate chosen by the governor, who is given the powers by the Nigerian constitution,  which we all believe in, after the selection of three best candidates from the royal houses by the selection team of a traditional ruler of Billiri. Whoever is chosen is still from one of the royal family houses, a Tangale by tribe and a resident of Billiri town.

I, therefore, urged all tribal groups in Gombe State, to learn to respect and love each other as brothers and sisters in respective of their religious difference.

Another unfortunate tribal crisis happened recently in Balanga Local Government Area of the state between Waja and Lunguda, which led to the death of 15 people, many were injured while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

This ugly situation must stop in for the sake of peaceful coexistence, unity and good working relationship.

Garba Abubakar Abdulkarim Kumo is a staff of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria